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Will Captain Take-Off In Vase Final?

30/11/2014

On Tuesday night it's the 53rd running of the Coral Essex Vase. This race is steeped in history and in 1971 was won by one the most famous greyhounds ever to have graced our sport; Dolores Rocket. She did the Derby/St Leger double and somewhat set the tone for this race. The distance is intriguing it tempts in the strong four-bend runners and the six-bend stars, this sets up some thrilling encounters and this year is no different.

The sponsors have Airport Captain a warm 8/11 shot to be the greyhound collecting the £10,000 to-the-winner first-prize. It's no wonder Airport Captain is a short-priced favourite. He's been brilliant posting a 35.21, 4L victory in the opening-round, followed up with a 35.06 +20, 3.25L victory in the semi-finals. Arguably his finest hour came over this course and distance back in August 2013 when he stormed to victory in The Champion Stakes final smashing the track-record in the process. His connections will be confident but it's far from a one greyhound race.

Any Dak won the 2013 East-Anglian Derby over 462m, he is classy over four-bends and although this distance stretches him to the limit his sectionals of 13.35 and 13.53 are phenomenal. Hazel Kemp will be hoping her star veteran can blast out and try to make all. Ballymac Aalto is another with solid four-bend form, the switch from red to white could see him break better. The McNair's will be hoping he can build on his impressive semi-final display when he caught Any Dak right on the line to win by a head in 35.39 +20.

Paul Young is double-handed with Teejayspowerhawk and Tuna Crunch. Both are here on merit and will be hoping to make home advantage pay dividends. Another home greyhound is the Maxine Locke trained Adoremus who really caught the eye with a top-class performance in his semi-final. He beat Tuna Crunch by 1.25L in a very fast 35.12 +20.

Maxine Locke on Adoremus

'It's fantastic for us to make the final on our home track. The Coral Essex Vase is a huge race and everyone at the kennel especially the owners 'The Bonville Boys' are really excited. We are really pleased with the draw and are hopeful of a big run, he came away so well in the semi-final and showed us what we know he is capable of and if he can improve on that we have a chance. Long-term I think we may have a crack at the Golden Jacket but for now we are just going to enjoy the occasion. I'd like to thank Coral for their brilliant sponsorship and wish everyone the best of luck'.

Tune in to Sky Sports or catch the action in bookmakers nationwide via SIS. Will it be a four-bend speedster? A staying dog? Or a Romford 575m specialist who comes out on top?